Latest news with #MikeBrewer
Daily Record
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
'We tested the best family hatchback cars on sale - and one came out on top'
After testing all the family hatchbacks on sale, a group of car experts chose one that was a clear winner, making it the perfect car for a family to buy Choosing the right car for your family is an important decision, you have to make sure it is big enough to fit everyone in but it also needs to be affordable, practical, robust and fuel-efficient - making it far more complicated than it needs to be. For those who aren't looking to buy an SUV, the options may seem limited. Thankfully, there are still vehicles available that meet all the requirements of a family car without the need for high ground clearance, and can be used for off-road adventures. Now, a group of car experts at Top Gear have put together a list of their top five hatchbacks - which are perfect for families. At the top of the list was the Honda Civic, priced between £35,005 and £39,805. The Honda won due to its fuel economy, partiality and its enjoyable driving experience, the Mirror reports. The experts shared their reason for the top pick: "It might be conservative on the outside, but the interior is simply put together and to a high standard. You won't mind long family journeys, and you know that it'll all last for miles and miles." "There's a strangely complex hybrid setup under the bonnet, but you needn't worry about all that, because the upshot is that the car drives and handles well enough, but won't cost you the earth in petrol bills." The Skoda Octavia took second place, beating the car it's based on, the eighth generation VW Golf, which had to settle for third place. Speaking on the Skoda, the experts expressed: "There must be a few noses out of join the darkest corporate depths of the VW Group – of the host of cars based on the MkVIII Golf, the Skoda's the best." Yet, they didn't completely dismiss the VW Golf despite what they described as a dip in recent years. They said: "Long the benchmark in this sector, the crown has slipped a little in this eighth generation guise. "We wouldn't count the Golf out for long though." Although these three - Honda, Skoda and VW - would be a good choice for a family car, there are still several other cars out there if an SUV body shape is what you're looking for. Previously, car expert Mike Brewer singled out one car that stood above the rest for his prime pick for a family hoping for an SUV. Speaking on his YouTube channel, earlier this year, Mike explained why he thought the Nissan X-Trail would make the best family car. He said: "Just look at it from the exterior, it's got the privacy glass, it's got the roof rails, it's got the chrome door handles, the chrome accents, it looks really smart. "It's got electric folding mirrors so as you open the car, get in and turn the ignition on the mirrors fold out, which is lovely." 'Leather door cards inside your family car, nice and easy to wipe, absolutely wonderful leather seats. It's got lumber support as well, you've got cup holders everywhere. These Nissan X-Trails are really well equipped."
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
'We tested the best family hatchback cars on sale – there was one clear winner'
A group of car experts have tested every family hatchback on sale and come to a verdict over the best one for a family to buy Choosing the right car for your family is an important decision, one that is far more complicated than it first appears. Not only must the car be big, it must be affordable, practical, robust, and economical. The calculation is complicated somewhat if the buyer simply does not want an SUV. If that is the case, then choice is rather thinner on the ground. Fortunately, there are still some cars out there which are fit for the family, but don't come with enough ground clearance to conquer the Paris-Dakar or the Himalayas. A group of car experts from renowned motoring publication Top Gear have compiled a list of the top five hatchbacks – cars with a literal hatch at the rear of the car – which are perfect for family ownership. At the top of their list was the Honda Civic. Priced from between £35,005 and £39,805, the Honda won out for it's economy, practicality, and the fact it was fun to drive. The experts explained: 'It might be conservative on the outside, but the interior is simply put together and to a high standard. You won't mind long family journeys, and you know that it'll all last for miles and miles. 'There's a strangely complex hybrid setup under the bonnet, but you needn't worry about all that, because the upshot is that the car drives and handles well enough, but won't cost you the earth in petrol bills.' Coming in second was the Skoda Octavia, which in turn beat the car it's based on, the eighth generation VW Golf, into second with it's German cousin completing the podium in third. Commenting on the Skoda, the experts remarked: 'There must be a few noses out of join the darkest corporate depths of the VW Group – of the host of cars based on the MkVIII Golf, the Skoda's the best.' However, they didn't completely rule out the VW Golf despite what they described as a slip in recent years. They ruminated: 'Long the benchmark in this sector, the crown has slipped a little in this eighth generation guise. We wouldn't count the Golf out for long though.' Although the Honda, Skoda, and VW would make fine family car options, there are still plenty of cars out there if an SUV body shape is a must have. Earlier this year car expert Mike Brewer highlighted one car that stood above the rest as his top pic for those looking for a family SUV. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Mike explained why he thought it should be the Nissan X-Trail. He said: 'Just look at it from the exterior, it's got the privacy glass, it's got the roof rails, it's got the chrome door handles, the chrome accents, it looks really smart. "It's got electric folding mirrors so as you open the car, get in and turn the ignition on the mirrors fold out, which is lovely. 'Leather door cards inside your family car, nice and easy to wipe, absolutely wonderful leather seats. It's got lumber support as well, you've got cupholders everywhere. These Nissan X-Trails are really well equipped."
Scottish Sun
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Wheeler Dealers star Mike Brewer reveals which ‘modern classic' vehicle will skyrocket 6 times in value in just 10 years
Brewer explains why now is the perfect time to buy WHEEL DEAL Wheeler Dealers star Mike Brewer reveals which 'modern classic' vehicle will skyrocket 6 times in value in just 10 years Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEELER Dealers star Mike Brewer has declared the car he thinks is a 'modern classic'. Brewer said its value could skyrocket over the next few years. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Mike Brewer hosts Wheeler Dealers Credit: Twitter 3 The Audi TT's value could go up to £10,000 Credit: Getty Mike Brewer has revealed he thinks the Audi TT Mk1 is a 'modern classic'. Brewer reckons that the TT could shoot up to as much as £10,000. This would be around six times the car's current market price, with motoring experts Parkers saying second-hand models currently go for between £1,130 and £2,205. This is a shadow of the model's retail price when it was new, of around £27,775. The first-generation TT was made at the turn of the millennium, between 1999 and 2005, before being replaced by the Mk2 a year later. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Brewer said: 'Definitely a modern classic is a Mk1 Audi TT. 'The 225bhp model, that's a really good car – a very good modern classic. 'People who have still got those today don't realise they're worth 15 hundred or two grand, maybe two-and-a-half-grand, some of them, but that car will be solid in years to come. "People will be paying 10 grand for those in the future.' The TT packs a sizeable punch for its price, with Parkers believing the four-cylinder, 1781cc engine could reach a top speed of 151mph. Chelsea's £115m ace Moises Caicedo has £160k Audi seized by cops after driving without valid licence near training ground The Mk1 is no slouch off the mark either - going from 0-60 in just 6.4 seconds. The main downside of the sports car is a limited luggage capacity of just 220 litres. Even so, car insurance experts at Hagerty UK have also been keen to heap praise on the Mk1 TT, calling it a "future classic." They said: 'Driving it was one of those rare moments when you realise without a shadow of a doubt you're looking the future right in the eye. 'Subsequent generations were of course faster still, and handled better, but lacked entirely the stunning visual innovation of the original.' Brewer has also suggested that now is a great moment in the markets to snap up forgotten classics, explaining that the market for these has settled after a post-COVID bounce. The TV star explained: 'There has been an oversupply of good classic car stock. "Because during Covid people had money and time, went in their garage and finally finished that Ford Cortina or Triumph Herald they promised they would. 'The market got swamped with good quality classics that bumped prices up because sales were high. "But now the market has gone completely flat and prices are on their way down, dropping 10 to 20 per cent over the past six months and still coming down. "I can see that happening for the next six to eight months. It's a resetting of the market to where it should be. 'So it's absolutely the right time to buy, in some cases a good time to hold your nerve if you're buying. "We've got an unsettled market for a load of reasons: the energy crisis, mortgage rates, now we're going through a change of government.' There's further good news for Audi TT fans, as comments by the manufacturer's CEO, Gernot Döllner, sparked speculation of an electric relaunch of the car. The third generation, petrol, Audi TT was discontinued in 2023. But Döllner said: "I believe Audi should have a sports car, for sure." And when asked if a model like the beloved TT could make a return, he said: "Yes, that's thinkable. But we have a broad view on what's possible. "If you're talking about real racing cars for the track, to me, the only way until now is combustion engine or hybrid. "But if it's more for everyday use on normal roads, I would definitely see a transition to the electric era."
The Sun
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Wheeler Dealers star Mike Brewer reveals which ‘modern classic' vehicle will skyrocket 6 times in value in just 10 years
WHEEL DEAL Brewer explains why now is the perfect time to buy Published: 10:46, Updated: 10:46, WHEELER Dealers star Mike Brewer has declared the car he thinks is a 'modern classic'. Brewer said its value could skyrocket over the next few years. 3 Mike Brewer has revealed he thinks the Audi TT Mk1 is a ' modern classic '. Brewer reckons that the TT could shoot up to as much as £10,000. This would be around six times the car's current market price, with motoring experts Parkers saying second-hand models currently go for between £1,130 and £2,205. This is a shadow of the model 's retail price when it was new, of around £27,775. The first-generation TT was made at the turn of the millennium, between 1999 and 2005, before being replaced by the Mk2 a year later. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Brewer said: 'Definitely a modern classic is a Mk1 Audi TT. 'The 225bhp model, that's a really good car – a very good modern classic. 'People who have still got those today don't realise they're worth 15 hundred or two grand, maybe two-and-a-half-grand, some of them, but that car will be solid in years to come. "People will be paying 10 grand for those in the future.' The TT packs a sizeable punch for its price, with Parkers believing the four-cylinder, 1781cc engine could reach a top speed of 151mph. Chelsea's £115m ace Moises Caicedo has £160k Audi seized by cops after driving without valid licence near training ground The Mk1 is no slouch off the mark either - going from 0-60 in just 6.4 seconds. The main downside of the sports car is a limited luggage capacity of just 220 litres. Even so, car insurance experts at Hagerty UK have also been keen to heap praise on the Mk1 TT, calling it a "future classic." They said: ' Driving it was one of those rare moments when you realise without a shadow of a doubt you're looking the future right in the eye. 'Subsequent generations were of course faster still, and handled better, but lacked entirely the stunning visual innovation of the original.' Brewer has also suggested that now is a great moment in the markets to snap up forgotten classics, explaining that the market for these has settled after a post- COVID bounce. The TV star explained: 'There has been an oversupply of good classic car stock. "Because during Covid people had money and time, went in their garage and finally finished that Ford Cortina or Triumph Herald they promised they would. 'The market got swamped with good quality classics that bumped prices up because sales were high. "But now the market has gone completely flat and prices are on their way down, dropping 10 to 20 per cent over the past six months and still coming down. "I can see that happening for the next six to eight months. It's a resetting of the market to where it should be. 'So it's absolutely the right time to buy, in some cases a good time to hold your nerve if you're buying. "We've got an unsettled market for a load of reasons: the energy crisis, mortgage rates, now we're going through a change of government.' There's further good news for Audi TT fans, as comments by the manufacturer's CEO, Gernot Döllner, sparked speculation of an electric relaunch of the car. The third generation, petrol, Audi TT was discontinued in 2023. But Döllner said: "I believe Audi should have a sports car, for sure." And when asked if a model like the beloved TT could make a return, he said: "Yes, that's thinkable. But we have a broad view on what's possible. "If you're talking about real racing cars for the track, to me, the only way until now is combustion engine or hybrid. "But if it's more for everyday use on normal roads, I would definitely see a transition to the electric era." 3
The Irish Sun
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Wheeler Dealers star Mike Brewer reveals which ‘modern classic' vehicle will skyrocket 6 times in value in just 10 years
WHEELER Dealers star Mike Brewer has declared the car he thinks is a 'modern classic'. 3 Mike Brewer hosts Wheeler Dealers Credit: Twitter 3 The Audi TT's value could go up to £10,000 Credit: Getty Mike Brewer has revealed he thinks the Brewer reckons that the TT could This would be around six times the car's current This is a Read more Motors The first-generation TT was made at the turn of the millennium, between Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Brewer said: 'Definitely a modern classic is a Mk1 'The 225bhp model, that's a really good car – a very good modern classic. 'People who have still got those today don't realise they're worth 15 hundred or two Most read in Motors "People will be paying 10 grand for those in the The TT packs a sizeable punch for its price, with Parkers believing the four-cylinder, 1781cc Chelsea's £115m ace Moises Caicedo has £160k Audi seized by cops after driving without valid licence near training ground The Mk1 is no slouch off the mark either - going from 0-60 in just 6.4 seconds. The main downside of the Even so, car insurance experts at Hagerty UK have also been keen to heap praise on the Mk1 TT, calling it a "future They said: ' 'Subsequent Brewer has also suggested that now is a great moment in the markets to snap up forgotten classics, explaining that the The 'There has been an oversupply of good classic car stock. " Because during Covid people had money and time, went in their garage and finally finished that Ford Cortina or Triumph Herald they promised they would . 'The market got swamped with good "But now the market has gone completely flat and prices are on their way down, dropping 10 to 20 per cent over the past six months and still coming down. "I can see that happening for the next six to eight months. It's a resetting of the market to where it should be. 'So it's absolutely the right time to buy, in some cases a good time to hold your nerve if you're buying. "We've got an unsettled market for a load of reasons: the energy crisis, mortgage rates, now we're going through a change of government.' There's further good news for Audi TT fans, as comments by the manufacturer's CEO, Gernot Döllner, sparked speculation of an The third generation, petrol, Audi TT was discontinued in 2023. But Döllner said: "I believe Audi should have a sports car, for sure." And when asked if a model like the beloved TT could make a "If you're talking about real racing cars for the track, to me, the only way until now is combustion engine or "But if it's more for everyday use on normal 3 The Audi TT could be making an electric comeback Credit: Getty
